This blog is meant to display my coins/currency notes/stamps, in an informative manner, which would be useful to users in knowing about the history of the period when these coins/banknotes/stamps were minted/printed and events/persons they honour/depict, both on Indian and foreign coins/banknotes/stamps. The content would be more in the nature of a walk down memory lane through my collection/articles.

Search This Blog

Wednesday, 5 April 2017

472) Means of Transport Through the Ages: A set of 20 Postage stamps brought out by India Post depicting the evolution of Land/Road Transport through the Ages on 25.03.17:

472)
Means of Transport Through the Ages: A set of 20 Postage stamps brought out
by India Post depicting the evolution of Land/Road Transport through the Ages
on 25.03.17:

From the beginning of
history, human sensitivity has revealed an urge for mobility leading to a
measure of Society’s progress.

The history of this
mobility or transport is the history of civilisation.

A well-known and
coordinated system of transport plays an important role in the sustained economic
growth of a country. It has been witnessed throughout the history of any nation
that a proper, extensive and efficient transport provides indispensable
mobility for all citizens and goods and contributes to the economic prosperity
of a region/nation. It is a key factor to social, regional and economic
cohesion, including the development of rural areas. It is the essential
convenience with which people connect with one another leading to progress and
social integration.

A)
Palanquins (or “Palkis”):

In ancient times,
Palanquins were used as a mode of transport. Known as “Palki” (derived from the Sanskrit word “Palyanka”, meaning a bed or couch) was a shade bigger than a bed or
a couch and made of wood, with doors on both sides

A Palki is a covered litter,
usually for one passenger. carried by two to eight bearers, but most commonly
four persons on their shoulders by means of a long cylindrical pole was
attached to it lengthways through the middle.

Historically:

During Medieval India “Palkis” were used as most essential
wedding transportation means. It was also used as a conveyance for Indian noble
women, as well as, for Indian landlords of that era. Indian women of rank
always travelled by a Palanquin.

The use of Palanquins is
mentioned in ancient Indian texts even in the “Ramayan” which is a religious Indian text, dating back to around
250 BC.

Types:

Palkis vary in size and
grandeur. The smallest and simplest is a cot or frame suspended by the four
corners from a bamboo pole and borne by two bearers, which is called a “Doli”.

Larger Palanquins are
rectangular wooden boxes, about eight feet long, four feet wide and four feet
high with openings on either side screened by curtains or shutters. The
interiors are furnished with bedding and pillows. The Ornamentation reflects
the social status of the traveller.

The
first set of four stamps:

The first four stamps depict
the different models of Palanquins used by people. The introduction of cycle
and hand-driven Rickshaws in the 1930s and the ever expanding means of
communication systems have now rendered
the “Palki” a mode of transport of the past, which is now sparingly used on
special occasions like wedding ceremonies where a “Doli” carries the bride.

A First Day Cover (FDC)
showing four types of Palanquins or Palkis – Long Palanquin, Meeana Palanquin,
Boutcha Palanquin and Chowpal Palanquin

The first of the five First Day
Covers (FDC) issued on the occasion shows on the left a
representation of two Palanquins, the one above (a “Long Palanquin” open on the
sides with a seated passenger inside) being carried by four men, while the one
below is a “Boutcha Palanquin” where
a passenger with an umbrella is waiting to board the Palanquin, which again has
four porters. Below this image is inscribed “MEANS OF TRANSPORT THROUGH THE
AGES”.

The first of the four
stamps affixed to this FDC depicts a “Lambi
Palki” (in Hindi) or a “Long Palanquin” (in English) which is open on two
sides, and is a stamp of 500 Paise or Rs.5/- denomination. The second stamp depicts
a “Meeyana Palki” (in Hindi) or a “Meeana Palanquin” (in English) which is
a Palanquin open on all sides and is a stamp of 1000 Paise or Rs.10/-
denomination. The third stamp depicts a “Boutcha
Palki” (in Hindi) or a “Boutcha
Palanquin” (in English) which is open on four sides and has a comfortable chair
and is a stamp of 1500 Paise or Rs.15/- denomination. The fourth stamp depicts
a “Chaupal Palki” (in Hindi) and “Chowpaul Palanquin” (in English), which
is open on the sides and is more of a porter carried “bed” and is a stamp of 2500
Paise or Rs.25/-.

The Cancellation hand-stamp
shows a Meeana Palanquin and is of
New Delhi GPO. The Cancellation date is “25.03.2017”.

This sheetlet of 20 stamps
is titled “Vibhinn Yugon Mein Yatayat Ke Saadhan: Palki” (in Hindi) and Means
of Transport Through The Ages: Palanquin” (in English). The first set of five
stamps running vertically show the “Long Palanquin” (500 Paise of Rs.5/-), the
second set of five stamps shows the “Meeana Palanquin” (1000 Paise or Rs.10/-),
the third set of five stamps shows the “Boutcha Palanquin” (1500 Paise or
Rs.15/-), while the fourth set shows the “Chowpaul Palanquin” (2500 Paise or
Rs.25/-).

On the outer periphery of the sheetlet are seen images of various Palkis (Palanquins) in stationary positions or being carried by bearers

B)Horse Carriages and Carts:

Another set of four stamps
depicts different modes of transport related to Horse Carriages and Carts,
which were also used as a major mode of transport since ancient times.

They are still used today
in places where modern vehicles are too expensive or the infrastructure does
not favour the use of mechanised vehicles.

A Bullock Cart or Ox
Cart is a two-wheeled or four wheeled vehicle pulled by oxen.

A Tonga is a light
horse-drawn carriage used for transportation in India. They are usually pulled
by two horses, although some require only one horse.

Tongas
and Horse Carriages are still used in some smaller cities for economic
activity, mainly to carry heavy goods and sometimes, passengers, within the
city limits.

The
second set of four stamps:

The second set of four
stamps depicts the different models of Horse carriages and Carts used for
transport through the Ages.

A First Day Cover (FDC)
showing four types of Horse Carriages or Carts – Bullock Cart, Rath Bullock
Cart, Tonga and Horse Carriage

The second of the five
First Day Covers (FDC) issued on the occasion shows on the
left a representation of two Bullock Carts driven by two oxen each managed by Drivers.
Below this image is inscribed “MEANS OF TRANSPORT THROUGH THE AGES”.

The first of the four
stamps affixed to this FDC depicts a wooden “Baille Gaadi” (in Hindi) or a “Bullock Cart” (in English) which is a
two wheeled vehicle open to the elements, and is a stamp of 500 Paise or Rs.5/-
denomination. The second stamp depicts a “Rath
Baille Gaadi” (in Hindi) or a “Rath Bullock
Cart” (in English) which is a covered four wheel vehicle and is a stamp of 1000
Paise or Rs.10/- denomination. The third stamp depicts a “Tanga” (in Hindi) or a “Tonga”
(in English) which is a one horse driven carriage and is a stamp of 1500 Paise
or Rs.15/- denomination. The fourth stamp depicts a “Ghoda Gaadi” (in Hindi) and “Horse Carriage” (in English), which is
a four wheel vehicle, open on the sides and is a stamp of 2500 Paise or
Rs.25/-.

The Cancellation
hand-stamp shows a partially covered Tonga and is of New Delhi GPO. The
Cancellation date is “25.03.2017”.

This sheetlet of 20 stamps
is titled “Vibhinn Yugon Mein Yatayat Ke Saadhan: Baille Gaadi Aur Ghoda Gaadi”
(in Hindi) and Means of Transport Through The Ages: Bullock Cart & Horse
Carriage” (in English). The first set of five stamps running vertically show
the “Bullock Cart” (500 Paise of Rs.5/-), the second set of five stamps shows
the “Rath Bullock Cart” (1000 Paise or Rs.10/-), the third set of five stamps
shows the “Tonga” (1500 Paise or Rs.15/-), while the fourth set shows the
“Horse Carriage” (2500 Paise or Rs.25/-).

On the outer periphery of the sheetlet are seen images of wheels (symbolising the invention of the wheel which led to vehicular travel), a Camel transport, a hand driven four wheel cart and several carts and carriages

C)
Rickshaws:

Further development in the
modes of transport was seen in the 19th Century when around 1880
when Rickshaws appeared in India. They were first seen in Shimla and then some
20 years later in Kolkata, where they were used by Chinese traders to transport
goods.

Pulling a Rickshaw was
often a profession resorted to by migrant peasants to the city in search of
livelihood in cases of drought or crop failure in their villages.

Around 1887, the
Rickshaw was a two or three wheeled passenger cart called a “Pulled Rickshaw”,
generally pulled by one man with one passenger.

Over
time, Cycle Rickshaws, Auto Rickshaws and School Rickshaws came into usage.

The
third set of four stamps:

The third set of four
stamps depicts the different models of Rickshaws used for transport through the
Ages.

A First Day Cover (FDC)
showing four types of Rickshaws – Cycle Rickshaw, Motorcycle Rickshaw, Hand and
School Rickshaw

The third of the five
First Day Covers (FDC) issued on the occasion shows on the
left a representation a decorated Cycle Rickshaw. Below this image is inscribed
“MEANS OF TRANSPORT THROUGH THE AGES”.
To its right is an image of a school Rickshaw which can seat upto 08 to
10 school children. Further right is a Hand-pulled Rickshaw being drawn by a
single porter.

The first of the four
stamps affixed to this FDC depicts a “Cycle
Rickshaw” (in both Hindi and in English) which is a three wheeled vehicle
open in front and covered at the back, and is a stamp of 500 Paise or Rs.5/-
denomination. The second stamp depicts a “Motor
Cycle Rickshaw” (in both Hindi and in English) which is a canopied three
wheel vehicle open on the sides and is a stamp of 1000 Paise or Rs.10/-
denomination. The third stamp depicts a “Haath
Rickshaw” (in Hindi) or a “Hand
Rickshaw” (in English) which is a hand-pulled vehicle drawn by one to two
porters and is a stamp of 1500 Paise or Rs.15/- denomination. The fourth stamp
depicts a “School Rickshaw” (in both Hindi
and in English), which is a three wheel covered vehicle, with windows on the
sides and is a stamp of 2500 Paise or Rs.25/-.

The Cancellation
hand-stamp shows a Hand-pulled Rickshaw and is of New Delhi GPO. The
Cancellation date is “25.03.2017”.

This sheetlet of 20 stamps
is titled “Vibhinn Yugon Mein Yatayat Ke Saadhan: Rickshaw” (in Hindi) and “Means
of Transport: Rickshaw” (in English). The first set of five stamps running
vertically show the “Cycle Rickshaw” (500 Paise of Rs.5/-), the second set of
five stamps shows the “Motorcycle Rickshaw” (1000 Paise or Rs.10/-), the third
set of five stamps shows the “Hand Rickshaw” (1500 Paise or Rs.15/-), while the
fourth set shows the “School Rickshaw” (2500 Paise or Rs.25/-).

On the outer periphery of the sheetlet are seen images of Rickshaws of various types

An image of a quaint looking cycle Rickshaw from our trip to Amritsar when our friend Rajan Trikha had invited us, taken from Sumita's blog "Footloose", in her post titled "Food, Friends and Family: A trip to Gurgaon, Delhi and Amritsar" the link to which is as follows: Food, Friends & Family: A trip to Gurgaon, Delhi and Amritsar

We were pleasantly surprised to see this Cycle richshaw plying on Oxford Street, London. The Link to Sumita's post on "Footloose: A Christmas vacation in London" where this picture has been taken from is as follows: A Christmas vacation in London

D)
Vintage Car:

As early as 1898,
the first motorcar was seen on Indian roads. Cars at this time were imported
into India, which were all Western Vintage models.

Local assembly of cars
began during the years between the World Wars and assembly units were set up in
Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.

The Rolls Royce Silver
Ghost was the origin of Rolls Royce’s claim of making the “Best Car in the
World”. This Vintage Car is considered to be the most valuable.

Austin Twenty
is a large car that was introduced by Austin after the end of the First World
War in April 1919 and continued production until 1930. After the
Austin 20/6 model was introduced in 1927, the first model was referred
to as the Austin 20/4.

In the category of Vintage
Cars, another famous model is the Chevrolet Series BA Confederate which
is an American vehicle manufactured by Chevrolet in 1932. Production slipped
significantly from over 600,000 cars to around 300,000 units during the 1938
Great Depression in the USA, but was still sufficient for Chevrolet to
retain first place in American car sales.

The 1937 Ford
featured a more rounded look with fine horizontal bars in the convex front and
hood-side grilles. The front was V-shaped, a change from the pentagon shape on
the 1936 model. The 1938 recession hurt sales, but the 1938 DeLuxe models
were differentiated with a heart-shaped grille, though standard models retained
the 1937 look. The 1938 vehicles were updated with several changes including on
the dashboard, with recessed controls for safety, to give it a more modern
appearance.

The
fourth set of four stamps:

The fourth set of four
stamps depicts the different models of Vintage Cars used for transport through
the Ages.

The fourth of the five
First Day Covers (FDC) issued on the occasion shows on the
left a representation a Rolls Royce Vintage Car. A little to its right is an
earlier bonnet mascot of the Rolls Royce Cars. Above the image of the car is a
faint representation of a Ford 1938 model. Below the images is inscribed “MEANS
OF TRANSPORT THROUGH THE AGES”.

The first of the four
stamps affixed to this FDC depicts a “Rolls
Royce” (mentioned in both Hindi and in English) and is a stamp of 500 Paise
or Rs.5/- denomination. The second stamp depicts an “Austin 1926” (mentioned in both Hindi and in English) and is a
stamp of 1000 Paise or Rs.10/- denomination. The third stamp depicts a “Chevrolet 1932” (mentioned in both Hindi
and in English) and is a stamp of 1500 Paise or Rs.15/- denomination. The
fourth stamp depicts a “Ford 1938” (mentioned
in both Hindi and in English), and is a stamp of 2500 Paise or Rs.25/-.

The Cancellation
hand-stamp shows a Rolls Royce and is of New Delhi GPO. The Cancellation date
is “25.03.2017”.

This sheetlet of 20 stamps
is titled “Vibhinn Yugon Mein Yatayat Ke Saadhan: Vintage Car” (in Hindi) and “Means
of Transport Through The Ages: Vintage Car” (in English). The first set of five
stamps running vertically show a “Rolls Royce 1909” (500 Paise of Rs.5/-), the
second set of five stamps shows the “Austin 1926” (1000 Paise or Rs.10/-), the
third set of five stamps shows the “Chevrolet 1932” (1500 Paise or Rs.15/-),
while the fourth set shows the “Ford 1938” (2500 Paise or Rs.25/-).

On the outer periphery of the sheetlet are seen images of of various Vintage Cars

The Golden Jubilee of the Statesman Vintage & Classic Car Rally 2016:

The Special Cover was
released at New Delhi on 28.02.2016. It was issued to celebrate the 50th
glorious year on 28.02.2016:

The front of the Special
Cover mentions on a golden ribbon “Golden Jubilee: The Statesman Vintage &
Classic Car Rally 2016”. Below this legend, it shows the pictures of two
Vintage Cars. Mentioned below the picture is “50vin Statesman Vintage &
Classic Car Rally, 28 Farwari 2016”. The Rs.5/- stamp is that of the 50th
Anniversary of the Indo-Pak War-1965 showing a fighter of the IAF taking on a Pakistani
Aircraft. The Cancellation Stamp id titled “The Statesman Vintage & Classic
Car Rally and shows a Vintage Car. The Cancellation is dated 28.02.2016, New
Delhi.

The inscription on the
back of the Special Cover reads “ Statesman Vintage & Classic Car Rally ka
shubharambh Shri Peter Moore, Motoring samvaddata, Statesman Delhi dwara 1064
mein kiya gaya. Yeh Car rally 28 farwari 2016 ko apna gauravmayi 50van varsh
manaa rahi hai. Samast Bharat mein iss prakar ki uplabdhi prapt karne wali yeh
ekmaatra Rally hai” (in Hindi”) and “The Statesman Vintage & Classic Car
Rally was initiated by Mr. Peter Moore, the motoring correspondent of The
Statesman New Delhi in 1964. This car rally is now celebrating its 50th
Glorious year on February 28, 2016 and is the only motoring rally to achieve
such a milestone in India” (in English). This Special Cover has been issued by
the Chief Postmaster General, Delhi Postal circle, New Delhi”. The Serial
number of issue of this Special Cover is Del/08/2016.(For more on the Statesman Vintage Car Rally, please visit the following link: Golden Jubilee of the Statesman Vintage & Classic Car Rally 2016

E)
Public Transport:

Public Transport
is the lifeline of social mobility. Passenger Road Transport Service (PRTS) is
an essential, connected to the economic and social development of the country.
Different means of Public Transport comprises of Trams, Metros, Buses and
Double Decker Buses.

In the early phases, Trams
were introduced in many cities including in Mumbai and Kolkata. They are still
in use in Kolkata and provide an emission-free means of transport.

Buses make up over 90% of
public transport in Indian cities and serve as a cheap and convenient mode of
transport for all classes of society.

Metro is another popular
means of transport in a few major cities in India.

The
fourth set of four stamps:

The fourth set of four
stamps depicts the different models of Vintage Cars used for transport through
the Ages.

A First Day Cover (FDC)
showing four types of Public Transport – Tram, Metro, Double Decker Bus and Bus

The fifth of the five
First Day Covers (FDC) issued on the occasion shows on the
left a representation a Tram, a Bus and a Double Decker Bus. There are faint
impressions of the front of a Tram, a Bus and side images of a Yellow and Black
four-seater Taxi and a minivan which can seat upto 30 passengers. Below the
images is inscribed “MEANS OF TRANSPORT THROUGH THE AGES”.

The first of the four
stamps affixed to this FDC depicts a “Tram”
(mentioned in both Hindi and in English) and is a stamp of 500 Paise or Rs.5/-
denomination. The second stamp depicts a “Metro
Train” (mentioned in both Hindi and in English) and is a stamp of 1000
Paise or Rs.10/- denomination. The third stamp depicts a “Double Decker Bus” (mentioned in both Hindi and in English) and is
a stamp of 1500 Paise or Rs.15/- denomination. The fourth stamp depicts a “Bus” (mentioned in both Hindi and in
English), and is a stamp of 2500 Paise or Rs.25/-.

The Cancellation
hand-stamp shows a Rolls Royce and is of New Delhi GPO. The Cancellation date
is “25.03.2017”.

This sheetlet of 20 stamps
is titled “Vibhinn Yugon Mein Yatayat Ke Saadhan: Sarvjanik Yatayat Ke Saadhan”
(in Hindi) and “Means of Transport Through The Ages: Public Transport” (in
English). The first set of five stamps running vertically show a “Tram” (500
Paise of Rs.5/-), the second set of five stamps shows a “Metro Train” (1000
Paise or Rs.10/-), the third set of five stamps shows a “Double Decker Bus”
(1500 Paise or Rs.15/-), while the fourth set shows a “Bus” (2500 Paise or
Rs.25/-).

On the outer periphery of the sheetlet are seen images of various modes of Public Transport

This sheetlet shows one stamp each of all the 20 stamps released in this issue.

On the outer periphery of the sheetlet are seen images of various modes of transport down the Ages

The Information Brochure issued at the time of release of the Stamps. Interestingly, while it shows a vintage aircraft on it, no air or water transports are covered in this issue

About Me

I am Rajeev Prasad, a retired State Bank of India officer who had been collecting coins in a shoe box without having a serious interest. Only after quitting my job I got the time to take serious interest in developing my coin collection into a hobby. A pity, because I would have had more opportunity to lay my hands on more 'exclusive coins' while in the Bank. Anyway, as they say,better late than never. If you have any views to share with me regarding this blog , please contact me on my email rajeevprasad1208@gmail.com. I also have a twitter account @prasad_rajeev.
I had an opportunity to participate in a Documentary on the life and times of the 25 paise coin titled “Chal Basi Chavanni” (The four anna/twenty five paise coin passes away), aired by STAR NEWS on 29th and 30th June 2011. The programme helped in making many persons hold back onto their “chavannis”, the little round beauties, instead of returning them to Banks .